You know him from a host of favorite films - eminent Shakespearean and acting legend John Rhys-Davies has endeared himself to moviegoers as Gimli the Dwarf in The Lord of the Rings, and as Sallah in the Indiana Jonesfilms, among many other roles.

Performing is powerful. It can redefine the horizon of a young musician - giving them a new reference point for their life. When anyone “stands and delivers” on a stage, they experience 3 things:

First, they gain a sense of worth. Just standing in the spotlight of an empty concert hall can give someone this feeling of value. It’s why American Idol or The Voice are hit shows - we want to be recognized. At the same time many of us feel shame or fear when we stand on a stage - there is an element of risk that comes from pursuing excellence. There is always the possibility of failure.

If I sat as Queen in the palaces of learning, all children would study music as a first priority.

That’s not because every student is going to become a professional musician but because the study of music builds and coordinates the body and the brain, optimizing and readying a child for greater success in all educational endeavors.